Domke F-7AF vs. F-1x SIDE BY SIDE Pics

Purchased my first Domke (the F-4AF) a few weeks ago and felt like I had finally found the perfect bag for me. I decided to add a bigger size for more gear and debated between the F-1x and F-7AF. I bought the F-1x (A Little Bit Bigger), but once I got it, I knew the F-7AF would have been a better choice, so the F-1x is on eBay (ending tomorrow 3-8-09) and I received the F-7AF from Amazon the other day. I immediately knew just from picking up the F-7AF out of the box, that I made the right decision. The F-7AF is awesome. I wanted something that allowed two zoom "ready to go" set ups. (Oddly enough, the review I did of the Domke F-4AF shows how I use that bag for 2 "ready to shoot" 40Ds.)

That's enough of an intro, here are the side by side pictures of the F-7AF and F-1x.

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Everyone has a preference, but I didn't like the back pocket of the F-1x at all. It looked too "loose" and made the bag look a little strange. The strap on the F-7AF is actually very comfortable. I had my doubts when I first saw it, but I'm a believer. It really takes some of the load off of your shoulder.

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Price difference is probably due to the F-7AF coming with three Domke inserts and the F-1x comes with only one. Again, just a preference, but I didn't like having any of my gear loose on the bottom of the bag. I know it's probably just as safe on the equipment, but I like my bag to look and feel organized.

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F-7AF in both pictures. Very comfortable to carry even when this heavy.

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Great review and a good series of pics showing the difference between these two. Thanks for that.

I have a F-1x in the mail at the moment I picked up second hand from a member here, with luck it should be delivered tomorrow. I wanted something a little bigger than the 6MDH I have as it only just closes with my walk around macro kit in it (1D3 +180L+Twin Lite+Tubes).

great comparison and review! thanks for the effort

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Thanks for your time and effort. Great review. And what a perfect timing for me. I have been struggling with decision between F-7 and F-1X.

Question: Is there any way that 1D Mark III with 70-200 2.8 with reversed hood and 5d mkii with 24-105 will fit in F-1X???

m

Yes. Get the 720-230 3-compartment insert. The 1D3 with 70-200 goes horizontal in front of the insert and the 5D/24-105 goes in the insert vertically. I use the 1D3/70-200 + 5D/24-70 in mine all the time. Put a 720-280 single compartment insert at the end of the bag and you've got room for 3 or more additional lenses. That's my basic bag.

Nice demonstration with the pictures. Are you in the States? If you had gotten the bags at B&H or Adorama, you could have returned the F-1X for a full refund. I'm sure there was a reason to have to put it on eBay.

tvphotog wrote in post #7477120
Nice demonstration with the pictures. Are you in the States? If you had gotten the bags at B&H or Adorama, you could have returned the F-1X for a full refund. I'm sure there was a reason to have to put it on eBay.

I am in the States, but look closely at the back of the F-1x... I can't figure out how the spot got there, but I know it didn't come like that. Long story short, I put it up for auction and noted the spots in a close up picture.

Like Jon said, the F-1x will hold the mounted 70-200 2.8, but I would rather have it vertical (F-7AF) as opposed to horizontal (F-1x). They are both great bags so you can't go wrong.

Yeah. I have and use both; the F-7 comes out when I'm using the 300 f/4; the F-1 handles the 100-400 just fine. Depends on what I'm carrying, but I use the same inserts (720-230 and 720-280) either way.

mhthomps wrote in post #7477153
I am in the States, but look closely at the back of the F-1x... I can't figure out how the spot got there, but I know it didn't come like that. Long story short, I put it up for auction and noted the spots in a close up picture.

Like Jon said, the F-1x will hold the mounted 70-200 2.8, but I would rather have it vertical (F-7AF) as opposed to horizontal (F-1x). They are both great bags so you can't go wrong.

do you have a cat? mine has sprayed both of my domke bags which has left similar marks .

thanx for the comparison. i have the f1-x, and of course i could use just a slightly larger bag but not verftically like the F7.

ed rader

ed rader wrote in post #7477827
do you have a cat? mine has sprayed both of my domke bags which has left similar marks .

thanx for the comparison. i have the f1-x, and of course i could use just a slightly larger bag but not verftically like the F7.

ed rader

no cats. I haven't even tried to clean it. Tag says machine washable, so I advised the buyer to give it a good cleaning.

mhthomps wrote in post #7477942
no cats. I haven't even tried to clean it. Tag says machine washable, so I advised the buyer to give it a good cleaning.

My F-3x got a cocktail of pink paint/sweet and sour sauce/pineapple juice/spam all over it one evening... it got chucked in the wash and came out good as new. Eminently washable.

Jon wrote in post #7476975
Yes. Get the 720-230 3-compartment insert. The 1D3 with 70-200 goes horizontal in front of the insert and the 5D/24-105 goes in the insert vertically. I use the 1D3/70-200 + 5D/24-70 in mine all the time. Put a 720-280 single compartment insert at the end of the bag and you've got room for 3 or more additional lenses. That's my basic bag.

Hi Jon,

do you have a photo of your bag laid out like this at all?

cheers,

John.